LITTLE ROCK - Attorney General Dustin McDaniel announced today that the Arkansas Crime Victims Reparations Board awarded $310,112.58 to victims of crime in January. Awards were made in 141 new cases, with additional expenses paid in 37 previously submitted cases.

The Attorney General's Office administers the state's Crime Victims Reparations Program, which provides compensation to victims of crime for unexpected expenses. The program compensates victims for medical treatment, mental health counseling, replacement service and lost wages, among other eligible items.

The Crime Victims Reparations Board determines which claims are eligible for payment and how much money will be awarded. Most awards are limited to $10,000 or less. However, for victims receiving catastrophic injuries resulting in total and permanent disability, the maximum award can be as high as $25,000.

In 2011, the board awarded a total of $3,820,230.84 to victims of crime in Arkansas.

The General Assembly created the Crime Victims Reparations Program in 1987. Awards are funded through court costs and fees. A portion of the funding comes from fines imposed on convicted criminals.

Members of the Crime Victims Reparations Board are: Dr. Janice Church of Little Rock, Colleen Nick of Alma, Redious Yancy of North Little Rock, Louis Jones of Fayetteville and Bryce Brewer of Little Rock.

For more information about the Crime Victims Reparations Program, call the Crime Victims Hotline at (800) 448-3014, or visit the Attorney General's Office website at www.arkansasag.gov.

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